Day trips

The Milford Road is an alpine highway with narrow sections, the one-lane Homer Tunnel, and frequent rain or snow in cooler months. In winter you may need to carry chains; always check the day’s conditions before you go, drive in daylight where possible, and allow generous time. If you would rather sit back and enjoy the scenery, our coach services are a great stress-free option.

It will take around 5 hours to travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound, allowing for a short coffee stop in Te Anau and photo stops along the Milford Road. If self-driving, make sure you fill your vehicle with petrol in Te Anau before travelling to Milford as there are no petrol stations at Milford Sound or en route. For more details, refer to our Driving Times webpage.

The road from Te Anau to Milford Sound takes around 3 hours to drive, allowing for breaks and photo stops along the way.  If driving, make sure you fill your vehicle with petrol in Te Anau before travelling to Milford as there are no petrol stations at Milford Sound or en route. For more details, refer to our Driving Times webpage. 

Day cruises vary in duration.

Milford Sound Day Cruises run for approximately 1.5 – 2.5 hours depending on the boat and day cruise you choose, not including travel time to destination. 

Doubtful Sound Day Cruises operates a little differently. Meet at Lake Manapouri, where, included in your day cruise ticket, you’ll get transport across the lake, which can last up to 1 hour. Following that, we’ll cross the Wilmot Pass by coach, through lush and dense forest for another hour before reaching Deep Cove at Doubtful Sound. The Doubtful Sound Day Cruise lasts around 3 hours before returning to land.

Queenstown Day Cruises also vary in length depending on your vessel and the destination. The TSS Earnslaw travels to Walter Peak and back again, which takes around 45 minutes each way. Some guests choose to depart at Walter Peak to enjoy the range of experiences the High Country Farm offers. The Queenstown Lake Cruise is a 1.5 hour round trip.

Not all of our day cruises are wheelchair accessible or safe for impaired mobility.  

Please reach out to our reservations team to discuss which of our vessels can accommodate you best. Email [email protected] or call +64 3249 6000.  

Absolutely! You can upgrade your return journey from Milford Sound with a scenic flight back to Queenstown (weather permitting). You can book this prior to your trip or on the day of travel through your coach driver, note that availability is limited. This option gives you the chance to experience the dramatic landscapes of Fiordland and the Southern Alps from above - think towering peaks, alpine lakes, and deep valleys.

Your travel agent or the outlet where you purchased your Milford Sound trip will refund the flight component of your ticket.  You will return to Queenstown by coach.

Visitors to Milford Sound should be aware of various natural hazards, including earthquakes, tsunamis, severe weather events, flooding, landslides, and avalanches. The Alpine Fault, capable of producing Magnitude 8 earthquakes, poses a significant risk of triggering landslides and tsunamis, while the area's mountainous terrain and high rainfall lead to frequent landslides and potential road closures due to flooding and avalanches. Learn more here.